During the recent town board meeting, the board asked this reporter to share a request with Orrock residents. During a recent snowstorm, plows needed to navigate around a total of 32 vehicles parked on the roads. Board members wished to remind residents that vehicles needed to be moved out of the way of plows during snow events. 

Furthermore, if a resident has an issue with the snow plowing service, it is dangerous to try to wave down the plow driver or, as an example of a recent incident, step out in front of the snow plow to get the driver’s attention. Any residents with questions or concerns should instead call town hall at 763-263-6411, or call the number for the road authority, Bryan Adams, found on the contact page on the township website. 

Sheriff’s Report

As usual, the Orrock Twp. meeting kicked off with a report from the Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Oaks filled in for Sgt. McLean. There were 155 calls for service during the previous month. Traffic stops in the township more than doubled, inflating more than in other areas of the county. The SCSO also responded to a complaint about a deer in a ditch. 

Audit Presentation

A representative from Schlenner Wenner presented the audit reports from both 2020 and 2021. The auditor gave an unmodified, or “clean,” opinion of the township’s finances and records, which indicates there are no serious issues. She went on to say that the audit went very smoothly and the auditors had a positive working relationship with township staff (the clerk and the treasurer.)

The auditor did report that the township did not adopt GASB 68 or 71 (Government Accounting Standards Board statements) and did not have proper segregation of duties when it came to finances. She noted that both of these items are not uncommon in townships and cities of small size that lack the resources to hire a full accounting team and other staff, but the auditor is required to report these items regardless. It does not indicate that the township is doing anything wrong or illegal.

The town board decided to enter a contract with Schlenner Wennner to have the company provide audits for the township for the next three years. 

Variance Requests

Orrock residents Mark and Kim Kurtz requested that the board approve a setback request for their property, as they want to add an addition to their home. The board saw no issue in the request and sent favorable comments to the county, who will make the final decision.

The supervisors and town clerk found a lot of humor in the next request. The board was asked to approve a variance for their own town hall expansion. Staff from the county informed the clerk that, although it seemed silly, the process of having the county approve the variance request required that the issue be brought before the board, even if the request came from the board in the first place. The board, of course, sent favorable comments on to the county. The board also needed to approve a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to use the building as a town hall, since the area is zoned for rural use. 

During the November meeting, the septic system was found to be in disrepair, making the water unsafe to drink at town hall. Originally, the board planned to wait until spring and let the ground thaw before replacing, noting that board members, staff, and guests to town hall would have to bring their own water for drinking when visiting. However, they found that the septic system needed to be in compliance before the aforementioned CUP could be approved by the county. So the board moved to hire Custom Septic (who discovered the issue) fix the system for $650 right away. Although another company bid to do the work at a slightly lower cost ($600) the board felt that it was better to work with the company who was familiar with the issue. Also, Custom Septic named a price for updating the septic system as the expansion was implemented, and made a verbal promise to hold to that price, so the board wanted to preserve their good relationship with the company. 

In Other Business,the Board:

• Discovered that they will not need to contribute any funding to broadband projects in the area, as Midco plans to cover said costs;

• Discussed the finalized adoption of roads in the Shores of Eagle Lake development;

• Called for the local board of appeal and equalization meeting to take place April 6, 2022 at 4 p.m.

• Noted that there was now money in an escrow account to deal with the Foster encroachment issue discussed at previous meetings;

• Elected to send a letter to a homeowner who had a boat parked above the catch basin on Eagle Lake, asking the owner to move the boat;

• Decided to also send a letter to a resident who had a fence in the right of way, which the board has been trying to get taken down since 2014 (the board sent a fairly aggressive letter, saying further actions would be taken to remove the fence if the resident continued to refuse to remove it);

• Reminded the audience that the next regular meeting is Jan. 26 at 7 p.m., and the joint powers meeting is Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at Big Lake City Hall.